From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies.Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I … quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.
Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.
A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.
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Two hearts being led back together again
Are you in the mood for a sexy but sweet read? Then Lie for a Lie should be your next book. A bit of a jock and nerd trope with second chances thrown in.
RJ and Lainey meet while traveling to Kodiak island for the summer. RJ is a support teddy bear to Lainey’s anxiety both on the way there and when accommodations don’t turn out as advertised…they become cabin roomies…and more. They spend time in a bubble but when reality calls, fate pulls them apart.
That is not our ending so fate intervenes again more than a year later, but now each needs to own up to their lie, RJ most of all has a lot to prove to sweet Lainey. Loved the progression of their HEA that is broadly drama free. We see how each character grows to be the best version of themselves and the team the 2 lovebirds needs to be.
A sweet and sexy read.
An adorably sweet and romantic story. Lainey and Rook are opposites but are absolutely perfect for one another. I enjoyed this charming story.
At this point, I’ve already read A LIE FOR A LIE twice, and both times I couldn’t put it down until I’d finished reading it. I absolutely adored this book!!! It has drama and some angst, but mostly it’s just charming and full of feel-good moments that lure you in and keep you smiling! I’m already chomping at the bit to pick it up and read it all over again–this was without a doubt my top book for 2019 and I loved it so, so much!
This Book In 5 Words:
Heart-warming. Sexy. Sweet. Riveting. Adorable.
RJ and Lainey were absolutely amazing and the romance was steamy, intense, and also so ridiculously adorable in the best possible way! I loved that it’s a spin-off of Helena’s Pucked series (but still works completely as an all-new standalone series), so it was wonderful to get to see some of our favourite Pucked characters, but I also loved meeting Lainey and getting to know our leading man, RJ, better. I’m pretty much always a fan of Helena’s leading characters, but I have a serious soft spot for RJ. I love him so, so much. He was sweet, generous, loving, and gives the best safety cuddles. 😉
If you can’t tell already, I basically loved everything about A LIE FOR A LIE. I loved the romance. I loved the story. I loved the way that the story itself was set up–parts of it happen in the past and I thought that Helena did an amazing job in weaving the two storylines together. I also loved the friendships, and getting to see RJ and Lainey grow closer was truly wonderful. I also really, really loved that so much of this story focused on RJ and Lainey getting to know each other, and on how their relationship evolved. We actually get to enjoy a pretty large chunk of the story where we see them bond rather than just face drama and let me tell you…it…is…so refreshing! I can’t remember a time before this where you’re given a chunk of a book to just savor the actual relationship part of a romance. It was spectacular! 😀
I’ll stop now because I could just go on and on forever about how amazing A LIE FOR A LIE was, so I’ll wrap this up and I have to say that I can’t wait to see what happens next in the All In series! I’ve already read (and LOVED) the next book, A FAVOR FOR A FAVOR, and now I’m really looking forward to seeing my new faves in the final book, A SECRET FOR A SECRET!!!
Star Rating
I highly recommend A LIE FOR A LIE to Helena Hunting fans, sports romance fans, and anyone who loves romances that are full of heartwarming moments that will leave you feeling like you’ve just been given safety cuddles/snuggles and a comforting cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows!
Sometimes you have to pull an all-nighter to finish the book because it has you so interested that there’s no way in hell you can put it down. And A Lie for A Lie was this book for me. From the very beginning I was super curious and I had to know what the lies were about. For Rook, the lie was presented very soon, but Lainey? Though my gut feeling was like “it’s gonna be this and this”, I was still surprised when I learned what Lainey was hiding. I absolutely loved the story – chemistry between the characters was off the charts, (view spoiler). Helena has yet to disappoint me – so far I loved every single book of hers. A Lie for a Lie is one of my favourites cause despite being funny, there’s also some drama that the characters have to deal with, great character development – I remember Rookie from Pucked Off and… yeah. that man has definitely changed. Absolutely loved it and would recommend to anyone.
Helena Hunting NEVER disappoints, and I simply adore this series. Everything we love about Helena- a sweet connection and tender romance, hockey magic, a smidge of angsty drama, unusual characters you’ll instantly fall in love with, and plenty of laughs. Helena has mastered the art of the swoon and sexy heartfelt stories.
This is the heartwarming second chance story of Rook and Lainey- the NHL superstar and the nerdy girl whose fun fling turns into something deep and powerful, until unexpected circumstances separate them. A year later, these two find each other- and the secrets they kept from each other are going to come out.
I truly adored Lainey. She has the quirky charm and gentle sass that I’ve come to expect from a Helena character. I felt like her heart is just so open and genuine, she’s got a real integrity to her character, and I felt so connected to her struggles. And I loved how sharp her intellect is, and her shy awkward quirks. She just is fantastic. I related so deeply to her nervous anxieties, her fear and worries- and it makes me love her even more when she takes risks, when she overcomes her fears- especially when it comes to opening her heart to Rook.
And ROOK- I’m so happy we got his story! He lived up to everything I wanted for him- just SWOON. He’s got so much charisma- charming, witty, and with enough romantic flair that he gives you the butterflies. Of course, like all Helena heroes he’s got a sweet and tender, despite his mistakes. I loved his sincerity and his compassionate care of Lainey.
I actually loved how easily these two feel into each other- despite the absence and their secrets, there isn’t a lot of conflict of angst. They fall back together so beautifully, and face their obstacles like two people committed to making it work, to their love first. They work through not only the lies they’ve told each other, but also the lies they’ve believed about themselves. Just love this series.
Lainey and rook are everything that a fling should be , but what they have is so much more, the short time they spend together you see through the eyes of the characters there love for one another come alive, with a small misunderstanding circumstances happen and oh boy better be ready for a ride, these two put me through so much, at times i was yelling at the book, Helena built up these two so beautifully, I loved this book so much,
WHY HAVEN’T YALL TOLD ME ABOUT THIS BOOK BEFORE? u2063
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I mean, it’s a hockey romance and I know nothing about hockey but still. I loved this one. Something happened towards the middle and I guessed what was going to happen next. But I still loved it. And flew through it. There was steam but it wasn’t too bad. AND THERE WAS ALASKA. Apparently I’m obsessed with books set in Alaska. First the Simple Wild. Now this. u2063
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I’m not normally one for this type of trope but this one is definitely one of my exceptions. RJ and Lainey are such a great couple. You can feel the chemistry between them. Helena Hunting delivers a funny and steamy second chance romance with a little bit of a surprise thrown in. Loved this book.
I honestly had just come off of Helena Hunting’s “Shacking Up Series” and was hoping this would not disappoint…. and it didn’t! I loved the development of the characters and how they revealed a real version of themselves to each other. The book had humor and a real bit of tenderness.
I do not want to spoil, but loved the many layers of the story telling!
This is a trope I don’t normally like but ended up really enjoying it. You also got to see where all our favorite characters were at in life.
“You’re safe. Human teddy bear right here for safety cuddles.”
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I am not sure what has taken me so long to get to this series but I am glad that I have finally taken the time to get to them.
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Rook heads to Alaska to get away from the hustle of NHL life. Lainey heads to Alaska to do some research for her masters. They have an instant connection and spend some very intimate time together before Rook has to leave due to a family emergency. A year later, in Chicago, they run into each other and all their secrets come out.
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This was such a fun and emotional story. I loved being able to experience Rook and Lainey’s story after reading Kody’s story. I laughed out loud and also cried some happy tears. Lainey suffers from panic attacks and Rook was so sweet and attentive to her needs, he was just so swoony. I can not wait for more from this series.
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Jason Clarke and Stella Bloom were the perfect selection for bringing Rook and Lainey’s characters and the story to life.
Brilliant.!!
A Lie For A Lie is a spinoff series to Helena’s Pucked universe,and they blend together so well with the introduction of RJ (Aka Rook )and Lainey.
This is a second chance extravaganza !
RJ and Lainey spend 6 weeks together in a cabin in Alaska after meeting on a plane.Lainey has no idea she is sitting next to a famous hockey playeron that plane and RJ loves it so keeps up the pretence…Lying about what he does for a living,they have a steamy 6 week fling…But it is more than a fling as they feel themselves falling in Love.
But an emergency has RJ leaving their little romantic bubble before they can discuss what happens next and so they lose touch.
Until a childs birthday party brings them together months later,were RJ’s Lies comes to bite him on the ass…and Lainey has a lie of her own.
I adored this book and all the new characters we meet,I loved seeing all the old crew from the pucked series as well.
I enjoyed every single part of this story it was sexy,romantic and completely and utterly addictive.
RJ had me swooning with the way he treated Lainey and tried to protect her and make her feel safe when her anxiety and panic took over.
This is going to be another Amazing series by Helena Hunting,No-one writes Hockey romance quite like Helena.
This is a must read that I highly recommend.
5 Fantastic Stars.
Audio review.
Did you mention Hockey? I’m in!
This was a fun second chance romance with a twist. It will have you laughing out loud and on the edge of your seat. The narrators brought the story to life.
I remember that I borrowed this book from KU and switched back and forth between the e-book and the audio book. I was all in. Great story.
We first met Rook (RJ) Bowman during the Pucked series. When he was first introduced, he was this rookie hockey player whom didn’t just played with pucks (if you know what I mean ). So you could say I was very intrigued when HH announced he was going to get his own book.
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In this book we meet a brand new Rook. He’s not sleeping around, he’s the Captain of Chicago’s team, we see a total different side of him. Anyways, he goes to Alaska to be “free” and it’s where he meets Lainey. During their time in Alaska they have a somewhat relationship until it ends abruptly. A year later they meet again and well… I’ll let that for you to find out
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This is a really cute, second chance book that will make you laugh and swoon.
RJ Bowman heads to Alaska to get away for some much needed down time. A chance to get away from the madness and pressure of being a NHL professional hockey player and team Captain. He was banking on the quiet and relaxation of Kodiak Island but he wasn’t banking on Lainey, the woman who would spark a peace he never knew he was missing. Not wanting to ruin this bubble he doesn’t tell Lainey who he really is. When he is forced to leave Kodiak for a family emergency, he does so without telling her the truth.
Fast forward a full year. Year of him never finding Lainey. He is not himself until a chance encounter when attending his teammates’s children’s birthday party and sees the woman he thought he had lost forever. Finally a second chance to be with her, finally a chance to come clean. Little does he know she is holding secrets of her own.
I loved this book! RJ or Rook was nothing but swoon worthy. And Lainey was adorably awkward and is plagued with something I am all to familiar with. It was nice to see this portrayed in such a real way. This one is definitely going on my reread list.
I absolutely loved this book! It was SOOOOO sweet! I didn’t want to put it down! Helena Hunting is such a great writer. She really hits you in the feels.
Audio review:
Stella and Jason did an amazing job bringing this book to life.
Sexy, funny and so. Damn. Good!
I absolutely loved it, I can’t wait to read/listen to more of this series!
I recently discovered this author’s books & she hasn’t disappointed yet!! I loved the book & all of it’s characters. There was humor, romance, emotional moments, definitely all the feels. Rook/RJ & Lainey are a great couple that truly deserved their HEA with their adorable son Kody. RJ was was very patient & understanding with Lainey & her anxiety problems helping her work through it. I’ve never personally experienced it but it doesn’t sound very pleasant. He proved to her that she could trust him again & that he’d always be there for her. Such an amazing book & author!!
But for now we’re tied: a lie for a lie
The pucked series is my favorite sports romance author so I knew going in to this book I was going to love this!
I had a constant smile on my face while reading this book. Once I started reading it, I didn’t put it down.
Laney and RJ are seriously EVERYTHING! Their chemistry is as explosive as the thunderstorms that they experience in Alaska. My heart breaks for both of these 2 characters but Hunting puts the broken pieces back together and made me heart swell bigger.
RJ is exactly the teddy bear that Laney needed in her life.